DE102009056245A1 - Wind turbine with lifting device - Google Patents

Abstract

A wind turbine (10) having a tower (20) arranged substantially outside the upper tower section, a rotor having at least one rotor blade (40a, 40b) connected to a hub (30), and an energy conversion unit having a generator (50) the tower (20) arranged, the energy conversion unit with the tower (20) connecting head carrier (60), and a lifting cable (70) having lifting means for raising and lowering the energy conversion unit, with a head carrier (60) attached, in the longitudinal direction of Energy conversion unit extending support structure and arranged on a supporting structure deflecting device (80) for transferring the hoist rope (70) from a substantially horizontal plane into a vertical plane, characterized in that the deflection device (80) by means of a change in position of the deflecting device (80) in the direction the longitudinal axis of the energy conversion unit causing linear actuator (90) with the head wearer he (60) or the structure is connected.

Description

The invention relates to a wind turbine with lifting device. In particular, the invention relates to a wind energy plant with a tower, arranged substantially outside the upper tower cross-section, a rotor with at least one rotor blade connected to a hub, and a generator comprising energy conversion unit, arranged on the tower, the energy conversion unit with the tower connecting head carrier, a supporting structure attached to the head support and extending in the longitudinal direction of the energy conversion unit, and a cable pull for raising and lowering the energy conversion unit.

The erection of wind turbines is known to be a technically and logistically very complex undertaking. In particular, the high weights of the wind turbine components and their dimensions require the use of special equipment such. B. Special cranes, whose use is subject to long-term planning, especially in the installation of offshore wind turbines.

This problem has now been attempted for some time by the fact that the tower of a wind turbine itself is designed as a crane or has a crane as an integral part of the wind turbine to at least partially minimize the costs usually incurred in the construction of wind turbines.

So revealed the EP 0 783 630 A1 a load lifting device on a wind turbine, in which a pivotable crane boom is arranged on the machine carrier arranged on the tower. The crane has a boom arranged in the axis of rotation of the wind track, which can be pivoted on both sides of the tower. The hoist rope is guided over a plurality of deflection rollers and finally taken up by a winch or released therefrom. Although not explicitly mentioned, the crane boom is picked up by the nacelle cover after the wind turbine has been installed, so that the nacelle cover must first be removed before reuse of the crane.

Similarly, the DE 199 55 516 C1 a wind turbine and a method for removing and installing the main components of the machine housing of a wind turbine, by means of a provided in the bottom of the nacelle opening the gearbox and the generator of the wind turbine can be lifted from the ground and brought directly into the nacelle. For this purpose, the crane boom is pivotally mounted inside the nacelle, in order to take the crane into operation, the upper panel of the nacelle must be opened.

A disadvantage of these known embodiments is that the proposed crane jibs are complicated to construct due to their pivotability and the conventional components of the wind turbine must also be designed for receiving the forces occurring when using the crane jib. In addition, the gondolas must be opened to use the crane or the nacelle cover must be removed.

Next is from the WO 2008/148874 A1 a wind turbine is known in which in a mounted on the tower of a wind turbine frame, a hoist is provided, which can raise a prefabricated from rotor, hub, rotor blades and generator energy conversion unit in the construction of this wind turbine, the arranged on the tower frame and thus with the Tower is connected. The frame is designed such that it projects beyond the upper tower cross section, so that the energy conversion unit is arranged outside the upper tower cross section. Due to this arrangement, the lifting of the wind turbine and the connection to the frame can take place without the risk of collisions with the tower.

Despite this fundamentally advantageous structure is disadvantageous in this known wind turbine that the distance of the position at which the hoisting rope is transferred from a horizontal plane into a vertical plane, is predetermined. But this is the operation of the hoist, z. Due to maximum wind speed limits, which are to ensure that a collision of the energy conversion unit with the tower is prevented, set narrow limits.

Swiveling outriggers and crane winches movable on the nacelle - as in the DE 103 27 849 A1 suggested - can not be used here, since they are not designed for the costs incurred in raising or lowering an energy conversion unit loads and not sufficiently secured. In addition, due to their exposed location, they are subject to the risk of corrosion and weather-related fatigue in extreme climates and are therefore not suitable for safe lifting and depositing over long periods. This concerns in particular the drives of the hoist as well as the hoisting ropes themselves.

Starting from the WO 2008/148874 A1 It is therefore an object of the invention to develop the known wind turbine to the effect that the energy conversion unit in raised position better aligned for connection to the tower of the wind turbine and thus the wind turbine can be built, maintained and repaired easier overall. Preferably, the means and means for lifting and lowering the energy conversion unit should also be able to achieve the longest possible lifetime.

The object is achieved by the wind energy plant with the features of claim 1. The subclaims reflect advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Particularly advantageous, the invention of the from DE 10 2007 012 408 A1 known wind turbine can be used. On the basic structure of this prior art system is fully incorporated. In this wind turbine, the transmission, the generator and the wind tracking are arranged in separate, bolted together housings, wherein the housings are designed as load-transmitting structures for transmitting the maximum static and dynamic rotor loads. The resulting from the known construction advantages include a very compact and lightweight overall construction.

The advantage of this preferred embodiment is that, especially in installations in the offshore area, the entire energy conversion unit can be pre-installed on land and transported by a watercraft to the place of construction and pulled up without further aids at the tower of the wind turbine and connected via the head carrier with this. This not only reduces the logistical and labor costs, but also the time, cost and personnel costs required to set up individual wind turbines or entire wind farms.

In addition, it is readily possible for a defective (offshore) wind turbine, an entire, z. B. rotor, hub, rotor blades, rotor bearings, gearbox and generator to remove existing defective energy conversion unit from the tower and replace it with a defective wind turbine intact energy conversion unit, the defective energy conversion unit can be checked under optimal working conditions in the factory and repaired by replacing individual components , This is also due to even in case of damage very low downtime associated with a significant cost and time savings, as for example in the WO 2008/113334 A2 is provided, but in the present case can be dispensed with the entrained crane with the crane.

It is particularly advantageous if the wind energy plant to be constructed is a two-blade plant, since the transport of a preassembled, two linearly aligned leaves energy conversion unit on land and water in contrast to a (albeit only partially) preassembled, a three-blade rotor having energy conversion unit due the vehicle width and height to be considered during transport are subject to less restrictions.

Finally, it is advantageous that the structure is located outside of the head carrier, so that the lifting device according to the invention without elaborate preparatory measures, eg. B. Removal of a panel can be used. On the other hand, the gondola carrying the crane jib is anyway designed for carrying the loads arranged outside the upper tower section.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a particularly preferred embodiment. Showing:

1 an overall perspective view of a wind turbine according to a particularly preferred embodiment;

2 a detailed perspective view of the wind turbine 1 in the area of the energy conversion unit attached to the head support;

3 a detailed perspective view of the particularly preferred designed wind turbine with the energy dissipated by the head carrier energy conversion unit;

4 a detailed perspective view of the particularly preferred designed wind turbine with the detached from the head carrier and a piece of energy conversion unit;

5 an overall perspective view of the particularly preferred designed wind turbine with the dissolved from the head carrier and deposited at the tower base energy conversion unit; and

6 a sectional view of a particularly preferred trained linear drive in the retracted state (a), in the extended state with retracted gripping cylinder (b) and in the extended state with extended gripping cylinder (c).

1 shows an overall perspective view of one in its basic structure of the DE 10 2007 012 408 A1 known wind turbine, which is equipped with the lifting device according to the invention. This wind turbine 10 consists of a tower 20 one on the tower 20 arranged as a head carrier 60 designated preferably as a housing element formed on its one side with the tower 20 preferably over a device for wind tracking and on its other side with the energy conversion unit of the wind turbine 10 connected is.

The energy conversion unit preferably consists of a rotor with one two blades 40a . 40b carrying hub 30 , wherein the rotor is advantageously mounted in a rotor bearing and via a suitable transmission one (in 3 provided with reference numeral) generator 50 drives.

It can be seen that the energy conversion unit with the tower 20 connecting headrests 60 not or hardly protrudes beyond the upper tower cross-section or the energy conversion unit is arranged substantially outside the upper tower cross-section. This arrangement facilitates pulling up or depositing the energy conversion unit to the location of attachment to the headgear 60 due to the easy distance between energy conversion unit and tower 20 ,

On or preferably on the head carrier 60 is a particularly preferred designed lifting device for lifting and lowering the energy conversion unit, for example, to build a wind turbine or repair or replacement of the energy conversion unit in the event of a defective wind turbine. In the illustrated embodiment, the lifting device is in the linear drive 90 integrated, so that a particularly compact and the lifting device against environmental influences protective design can be achieved.

The linear drive 90 But in a very simple case, it can also be made from a head carrier 60 fastened, in the direction of the hub 30 extending support structure, which is telescopically extendable, for example, and a running on the support carriage or a trolley, which carry the deflection (s), be formed.

2 shows an enlarged perspective detail view of the wind turbine 1 in the area of the head wearer 60 , On the head carrier 60 is a plurality of designed as a hydraulic linear cylinder linear actuators 90 to recognize that form the lifting device. In the present case, there are three linear drives 90 to recognize, with a particularly preferred embodiment, an even number of linear drives 90 , z. B. four linear actuators 90 , provides. The stroke of several linear drives 90 can be identical. Preferably, however, it is provided that the on the head carrier 60 with respect to its longitudinal axis further outside mounted linear actuators 90 a lower stroke than the arranged between these linear drives 90 exhibit. While the outer linear drives 90 extended to approximately the area above the center of gravity of the entire energy conversion unit, the inner linear drives will extend 90 extended beyond this point and preferably over the hub 30 the energy conversion unit positioned. This arrangement facilitates removal and attachment of the power conversion unit mounted on the headgear, which in most cases is inclined at an angle of up to 5 °, since the energy conversion unit with the linear drives arranged between the outside 90 internal linear drives 90 can be tilted.

3 shows a perspective detail view of the particularly preferred designed wind turbine 10 with the head carrier 60 dissolved energy conversion unit. It can be clearly seen that the energy conversion unit, especially the generator 50 or the generator housing 50 from the head carrier 60 separated and remotely spaced and extended linear drives 90 depends.

This is done - like 4 shows more clearly - in that the linear drive 90 from an outer cylinder 100 and an inner cylinder 110 is formed, which are preferably hydraulically displaceable to each other. The inner cylinder 110 carries at its free end a deflecting device 80 for transferring the hoist rope 70 from a substantially horizontal plane to a vertical plane. The hoist rope 70 is at articulation points on the hub 30 or at other sections of the energy conversion unit, e.g. B. on the generator housing or as here on the generator housing, mounted and depends on the majority of the deflection 80 the majority of linear drives 90 from.

5 finally shows a starting from 1 about in the 2 . 3 and 4 illustrated process steps completely removed and the foot of the tower 20 the wind turbine 10 drained energy conversion unit.

The inventively designed wind turbine 10 allows one to be on the head carrier 20 fixed energy conversion unit by preferably several hoisting ropes 70 that have several baffles 80 are guided, is connected to a lifting device. After releasing the connection of the energy conversion unit with the head carrier 60 become the diverters 80 with the help of linear drives 90 for increasing the distance of the energy conversion unit from the tower 20 from the tower 20 extended, wherein preferably also the angle of the longitudinal axis of the energy conversion unit can be changed. With an increased distance to the tower 20 The energy conversion unit can be drained and transported away.

The with the wind turbine according to the invention 10 performed operation of raising or discontinuing the energy conversion unit of the wind turbine 10 is explained in more detail on the basis of the settling process of a defective energy conversion unit. First, it is necessary for lowering and settling of the energy conversion unit that the hoisting ropes 70 attached to the articulation points on the energy conversion unit, if they are not permanently on the raised and the head support 60 fixed energy conversion unit are attached. For fastening the hoisting ropes 70 at the hub 30 On the other hand, it is necessary to use the internal linear drive (s) 90 extend, so that their respective deflection 80 above that at the hub 30 provided pivot point comes to lie, the hoist rope 70 be drained and with the pivot point on the hub 30 (manually) can be attached.

Before loosening the flange connection of energy conversion unit and head carrier 60 , So in particular the connection of generator housing 50 and head carrier 60 , all hoist ropes 70 brought under a bias to absorb the weight of the energy conversion unit immediately and to allow easy release of the flange connection can. For this purpose, a plurality of sensors are provided which the pressure applied to the flange pressure, the pressure in the lifting cylinders and / or on the hoisting ropes 70 detecting applied loads and supplying the corresponding values of a control acting on the elements constituting the lifting device controlling the prestressing of the hoisting ropes 70 established.

Is the connection between the energy conversion unit and the head carrier 60 solved, all linear drives 90 extended and the head carrier 60 dissolved energy conversion unit in a horizontal direction in one further from the tower 20 the wind turbine remote position. The extension of the linear drives 90 must be coordinated in such a way that the deflection 80 be extended simultaneously with the same speed and the entire energy conversion unit is moved in parallel in the horizontal direction.

Similarly, the draining of the energy conversion unit from the extended position must be coordinated. For example, this can be an inclinometer on the hub 30 be installed, the measured data is transmitted via radio to the controller. Based on these measurement data, the controller ensures that the energy conversion unit is not twisted or tilted during deflation. The energy conversion unit should therefore be drained horizontally aligned. Alternatively or additionally, the delivered rope length should be checked, in which case the usual systems for measuring the length of ropes, z. B. by means of a friction wheel, which preferably the deflection 80 itself, or by means of in the hoisting ropes 70 introduced markings, can be used. It also ensures the release of an identical rope length of each hoist rope 70 from each diverter 80 for a parallel offset of the energy conversion unit in the vertical direction until the energy conversion unit is completely drained to the ground. Alternatively, depending on the wind situation, the controller can also be set up in such a way that the hoisting ropes 70 , z. B. with the help of the front clamping device 140 shifting linear drives 140 (see below), are controlled differently and independently of each other, for example, to counteract unevenly acting on the energy conversion unit wind loads and a deflection of the head carrier 60 to prevent dissolved energy conversion unit.

Likewise, an energy conversion unit when building a wind turbine 10 or as a replacement for a defective energy conversion unit to the head carrier 60 raised, possibly inclined, by means of linear drives 90 retracted and with the head carrier 60 get connected.

In addition to the above features, the energy conversion unit may include means for guided support of the energy conversion unit on the tower 20 when raising or lowering the energy conversion unit allows. This may consist of a frame provided with wheels, wherein the wheels in their distance from the energy conversion unit z. B. are variable by means of further linear actuators, in order to be in the longitudinal direction of the tower 20 to adjust the changing tower diameter. The device may also be provided as a device separate from the energy conversion unit, which device can be connected to the energy conversion unit as required.

Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a frame that accommodates the energy conversion unit at the foot of the tower for transport or storage of the energy conversion unit.

Finally, in 6 a particularly preferred ausgestalteter linear drive shown, which has the lifting operation exporting elements. The linear drive 90 is preferably an outer cylinder 100 and an inner cylinder 110 formed, with the two cylinders 100 . 110 are formed mutually displaceable and the outer cylinder 100 the inner cylinder 110 in retracted condition. The mobility of the inner cylinder 110 opposite the outer cylinder 100 or the telescoping of the linear drive 90 is ensured by hydraulics designed for the corresponding loads.

The two cylinders 100 . 110 are as a hollow cylinder 100 . 110 formed, wherein the hoist rope 70 through the from the outer and the inner hollow cylinder 100 . 110 formed cavity is guided. The hoist rope 70 will be at the tower 20 averted end of the linear drive 90 on the inner hollow cylinder 110 arranged deflection 80 guided, so the hoist rope 70 is transferred from a substantially horizontal plane to a vertical plane. On the tower 20 facing side of the linear drive 90 is preferably another with the outer cylinder 100 connected deflection device 150 provided over which the hoist rope 70 through the wall of the head wearer 60 in the tower 20 the wind turbine 10 to be led. If the lifting device is not needed then the linear drive 90 retracted (see 1a ) and the hoist rope 70 can almost completely, preferably in the middle in the tower 20 be stored hanging.

Particularly preferred, the linear drive 90 also the components for lifting and / or lowering the hoist rope 70 , So the lifting device itself, on. For this purpose, two preferably hydraulically operated cable clamps 120 . 130 provided, preferably in the inner hollow cylinder 110 are arranged. One of the rope clamps 120 is inside hollow cylinder 100 preferably by means of a further hydraulic cylinder 140 movable, whereas the other rope clamp 130 in their position in the inner hollow cylinder 110 is fixed.

The lifting process is done by one on the rope clamps 120 . 130 and the other hydraulic cylinder 140 effective control achieved, the mutual clamping of the hoisting rope 70 through the rope clamps 120 . 130 controls. For example, the rear, by the energy conversion unit supporting deflection 80 removed rope clamp 130 driven in a first step to the through the hollow cylinder 100 . 110 guided hoist rope 70 to pinch. On the other hydraulic cylinder 140 the front, the energy conversion unit facing the end of the inner hollow cylinder 110 arranged rope clamp 120 without the hoist rope 70 to clamp in the desired position, z. B. in the direction of the tower 20 , procedure and the hoist rope 70 clamp firmly in this position (cf. 1b ). Then the rear rope clamp becomes 130 solved and the front of the hoist rope 70 clamping rope clamp 110 in the direction of the free end of the inner hollow cylinder 110 method. This will be the rope 70 or the energy conversion unit drained towards the tower foot. Subsequently, the rear rope clamp is again 130 driven to the hoist rope 70 to clamp, and the clamping of the front cable clamp 120 solved, whereupon a new movement and clamping cycle can be done by the hoist rope 70 or the energy conversion unit is drained.

To lift the energy conversion unit is the hoist 70 through the interaction of front and rear rope clamp 120 . 130 caught up by first the rear rope clamp 130 the hoist rope 70 fixed. Then the front rope clamp 120 without clamping the hoist rope 70 drove to the front. Then clamp the front rope clamp 120 the hoist rope 70 and the rear rope clamp 130 gives the hoist rope 130 free. Then the further hydraulic cylinder moves 140 the front rope clamp 120 in a rearward position, causing the hoist rope to continue towards the tower 20 led and the energy conversion unit is raised.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0783630 A1 [0004]
• DE 19955516 C1 [0005]
• WO 2008/148874 A1 [0007, 0010]
• DE 10327849 A1 [0009]
• DE 102007012408 A1 [0012, 0024]
• WO 2008/113334 A2 [0014]

Claims (10)

Wind energy plant ( 10 ) with - a tower ( 20 ), One arranged substantially outside the upper tower cross-section, a rotor with at least one on a hub ( 30 ) connected rotor blade ( 40a . 40b ), and a generator ( 50 ) energy conversion unit, - one on the tower ( 20 ), the energy conversion unit with the tower ( 20 ) connecting head carrier ( 60 ), and - one of a hoist rope ( 70 ) lifting device for raising and lowering the energy conversion unit, with - one at the head support ( 60 ), extending in the longitudinal direction of the energy conversion unit supporting structure and - arranged on the structure deflection device ( 80 ) for transferring the hoist rope ( 70 ) from a substantially horizontal plane into a vertical plane, characterized in that the deflection device ( 80 ) by means of a change in position of the deflection device ( 80 ) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the energy conversion unit causing linear drive ( 90 ) with the head carrier ( 60 ) or the structure is connected. Wind energy plant ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the linear drive ( 90 ) is a hydraulic linear cylinder. Wind energy plant ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear drive ( 90 ) two mutually displaceable hollow cylinder ( 100 . 110 ), wherein the hoist rope ( 70 ) by that of the outer and inner Hohlyzylinder ( 100 . 110 ) formed cavity is guided. Wind energy plant ( 10 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer and the inner hollow cylinder ( 100 . 110 ) are arranged hydraulically against each other displaced. Wind energy plant ( 10 ) according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized by at least one in the inner hollow cylinder ( 110 ) arranged rope clamp ( 120 . 130 ). Wind energy plant ( 10 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cable clamp ( 120 ) for raising or lowering the hoist rope ( 70 ) in the inner hollow cylinder ( 110 ) is hydraulically movable in the longitudinal direction. Wind energy plant ( 10 ) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized by an outer hollow cylinder ( 100 ) arranged rope clamp. Wind energy plant ( 10 ) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the cable clamps ( 120 . 130 ) hydraulically operated cable clamps ( 120 . 130 ) are. Wind energy plant ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting structure extends to both sides of the energy conversion unit. Wind energy plant ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tower ( 20 ) facing end of the hoist rope ( 70 ) in the tower ( 20 ) is suspended.

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